The Chicago White Sox are in first place of Al Central. There are many factors and story lines that have the White Sox in first place.  The major stories are Carlos Quentin, and the youth infusion into rotation of the White Sox.

Carlos Quentin was acquired by Kenny Williams for an A-ball prospect. The Diamondbacks felt they could deal Quentin because of their young and talented outfield. Quentin has done nothing but mash the ball for the White Sox. He leads the Sox in batting average, homeruns, and RBI’s. Carlos Quentin who is batting .302 with 14 homeruns and 44 RBIs. He also scored 35 runs. He SHOULD be an ALL-Star this season.  Quentin is bailing out an otherwise anemic  Sox offense.

Another reason the White Sox are in first place is their rotation. Jon Danks and Gavin Floyd are showing why they were top prospects and Jose Contreras has rediscovered his fastball.  Danks on the season is: 3-4, with an ERA of 3.00, 42 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.21. Meanwhile, Gavin Floyd is pitching better than Danks. Floyd numbers are: 4-3, with an ERA of 2.93, 25 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.08. Everyone knew both of these pitchers had the potential to be good major league pitchers this season.

EVERYONE thought Jose Contreras was DONE last season. I mean everyone. Contreras last season was 10-17 with an ERA of 5.57. The scary thing with Contreras was that when his ERA was climbing, and his fastball was losing velocity.  This season Contreras has rediscovered his fastball and posted IMPROVED numbers. Contreras is 5-3 with an ERA of 3.06, 42 strikeouts, and a WHIP 1.05.

Both of these stories are main reasons the Sox currently reside in first place. HOWEVER one important story that is being over looked and carries equal or even more SIGNIFICANCE; is the stability of the bullpen.

Last season the White Sox bullpen was a MESS.  Last season the bullpen ERA was 5.47. While the overall team’s ERA was 4.47. The names in bullpen ranged from Sisco to Prinz. The lowest ERA being posted by Bobby Jenks of 2.97 and highest ERA going to Brett Prinz 8.10. Jenks was also the only pitcher in the bullpen to post an ERA under 3.00, YIKES!  In general terms, the BULLPEN WAS AWFUL last season.

Kenny Williams addressed the issue by adding Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink to the mix.  Both moves have paid dividends with Dotel’s ERA being 3.48 and Linebrink’s being 1.17. Bobby Jenks is also pitching on par with Linebrink posting an ERA of 1.69. Linebrink holds the lowest ERA and the highest belongs to Matt Thornton which is 3.57. This is a STARK contrast from last season.

Essentially I am saying that Quentin and the rotation are GREAT stories, but don’t OVERLOOK the bullpens contributions.

*Ehren Wasserman ERA is 27.00, but he has only pitched 3.7 innings.

The GREAT Cedric Benson adds to his list of failures with the Chicago Bears.  Benson was arrested for drunken driving of a boat. To compound things, Benson resisted arrest and had to be PEPPER sprayed. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bears-
bensonarrested&prov=ap&type=lgns

                Benson has been nothing but a BUST since the Bears drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft. Benson was a workhorse in college at Texas, and been nothing but WORTHLESS with the Bears. This arrest helps Benson reach the low point in a career of low lights. Benson failed to beat out Thomas Jones in 2005, he also injured his leg. In 2006, Benson rushed for 647 yards and 6 touchdowns; however, Thomas Jones was the feature back that season.

                In his first full season as the feature back, Benson rushed 674 yards, 4 touchdowns and average 3.4 yards per carry. The Bears were at the bottom of the league in rushing. Benson suffered a season ending injury against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11. Reports out of Halas Hall state that Benson’s injury was worse than reported; a local Chicago radio station also reports that Benson HAS NOT been diligent in his rehab.

                The Bears have so little faith in Benson, that they selected his replacement in the 2nd round of this year’s draft.  Matt Forte, out of Tulane, will be the starting running back this season, with Adrian Peterson being the backup.

                The NFL draft came and went this weekend for all thirty-two teams. Teams were drafting based on needs and best available player.  In this weekend’s draft, there were thirteen quarterback selected from Matt Ryan (Boston College…now an Atlanta Falcon) to Alex Brink (Washington State… now a Houston Texan). The teams that picked quarterbacks were: Giants (two), Packers (two), Ravens, Dolphins, Patriots, Steelers, Bucs, Vikings and Redskins. The Giants, Pats, and Steelers picked quarterbacks “because they could”.  The Ravens, Vikings, and Dolphins picked quarterbacks out of necessity.  While the Bucs and Skins fell somewhere in between the two groups. 

                The one team’s name, people did not see draft on a quarterback was the Chicago Bears. One, Peter King, SI writer, describes the Bears decision to not a draft a quarterback as negligent. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/
peter_king/04/27/mmqb.draft/1.html

The decision to not draft a quarterback was not negligent, but IDIOTIC! The Bears had a plan; the plan was to address the team needs. What is the biggest need on this Bears team and has been the biggest need of the Bears Franchise? The answer is: A FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK!!! The last Franchise quarterback for the Bears was Sid LUCKMAN. He was quarterback from 1939 to 1950! That is 58 years and counting.

                The Bears management especially G.M. Jerry Angelo is convinced that the Bears do not need a “great” quarterback to win the Super bowl.  It seems as the Bears are comparing themselves to 2001
Ravens team and the 2003 Bucs. The Ravens won the Super bowl with an average quarterback in Trent Dilfer, and good running game, Priest Holmes, and a great defense lead by Ray Lewis.  While the Bucs were from the same mold, average quarterback, Brad Johnson, good running game, Dunn/Alstott, and a great defense led by Sapp, #### and Brooks. The fact that the Bears made the Super Bowl in 2006, with a similar mold, reinforced the point.  Their management believes they can without a FRANCHISE quarterback.

                 The most disappointing thing is that Bears have not taken a quarterback since Kyle Orton.  The biggest need in franchise history and three drafts in a row, there was not even an ATTEMPT to address it.  Negligent and idiotic might not be the proper words to describe the Bears draft.

The only word that comes to mind is DISSAPOINTING. 

If fans think there team has it bad, consider how BAD, Roy Halladay has it.

Roy Hallday lost again tonight for the Toronto Blue Jays. Halladay lost 1-0 to the Boston Red Sox. 

Halladay has pitched FOUR complete games in a ROW! He has netted ONE win out of those four starts.  The Blue Jays have scored less than three runs per start for Halladay.

Halladay stats on the season are: 2-3, 3.73 ERA, 25 K's, 6 Walks, and a WHIP of 1.75.

Halladay has thrown more complete games than SEVERAL teams last season. Halladay is an effective pitcher, who does not need a lot of pitches to get through lineups. Halladay has been a workhorse over the course of his career. Halladay has pitched in the league for ten years and pitched over 200 innings SIX TIMES! Halladay pitched 266 innings in 2003, winning the CY YOUNG that season.

If the Blue Jays want to win the AL EAST, they have to stop wasting pitching GEMS for Halladay.

POOR HALLDAY!

If people do not agree with my last blog, look at the facts:

In 2007, the White Sox were 12-12 on May 1st. They would finish 72-90 and missed the playoffs. 

In 2006, the White Sox were 18-6 on May 1st. They would finish with a record of 90-72, and miss the playoffs.

In 2005, the White Sox were 18-7 on May 1st. They would finish 99-63, win the AL central. They would ultimately win the World Series.

In 2004, The White Sox would start 14-9 on May 1st. They would finish 82-78, and did not make the playoffs.

In 2003, The White Sox would start 15-13 on May 1st. They would finish 86-76 and not make the playoffs.

In 2007, The Cubs would start 10-14 on May 1st. They would finish 85-77 win the NL central. They would be swept by the D-Backs.

In 2006, The Cubs would start 14-10 on May 1st. They would finish 66-96 and not make the playoffs.

In 2005, The Cubs would start 12-12 on May 1st. They would finish 77-81, and not make the playoffs.

In 2004, the Chicago Cubs were 14-9 on May 1st. They would finish with a record of 88-73, and missed the playoffs.

In 2003, The Chicago Cubs were 16-12 on May 1st. They would finish 88-74, win the NL central.

The numbers do not lie. There was ONLY one hot Chicago start in the last four years that resulted in a World Series. That was the 2005 White Sox.

Never once was it stated to not enjoy the ride, I am just merely pointing that baseball is a long season but everyone knows that right? One injury, one trade, and another team getting hot changes the course of a season.

I am not being negative about the hot starts, I also not proclaiming to everyone I can find that it will be a REDLINE series this year.

I am being a REALIST and CONTROLLING my enthusiasm.

                The Cubs are off to their best start since the 1975 season.  Ronny Cedeno recently has even recently spoken about the Cubs winning the World Series.  Cedeno along with Cubdom needs to take a CHILL PILL. There is a lot to be excited about: Derek Lee’s hot start (18 runs, 17 RBI’s , 7 homers, and BA of .358), the offensive numbers from Theriot ( 14 runs, 1homer, 5 RBI’s and BA of .338) and Cedeno( 8 Runs, 1 homer, 12 RBI’s, and a BA .333) Wood (11.0 innings, 1 Win, 4 Saves)slamming the door on teams, and Zambrano( 3-1 with an ERA 2.67) and Dempster (3-0 with an ERA 3.00) pitching well. All these variables are just some of the reasons for the Cubs 14-6 start. However, I hate to be bearer of bad news, IT IS ONLY APRIL!

                If the Cubs can sustain this success into September and October then, Fans should be VERY excited. My advice for Cubs fans right now is just to enjoy ride, but keep in the pack of their minds IT’s STILL early.

                The White Sox Fans are in a similar situation to Cubs fans, the Sox are off to a great start. The additions of Nick Swisher (15 runs, 2 homers, 5 RBI’s, and BA .246) and Orlando Cabrera (11 runs, 1 homer, 5 RBI’s, and BA .239) have helped improve the Sox this season. The underrated addition of Carlos Quentin (14 runs, 4 homers, 15 RBI’s and BA. 241) and the renaissance of Joe Crede(9 runs, 5 homers, 18 RBI’s, and BA .286) have also aided in the Sox good start.  Similar to the Cubs, the Sox have also been very good pitching wise. Two unlikely pitchers are becoming two vital cogs to the rotation. Those pitchers are Gavin Floyd (19.1 innings, 2-0, ERA 1.40) and Jon Danks (23.2 innings, 2-1, ERA 3.04).  Both pitchers were highly touted prospects, which the Sox took off the scrap heaps from the Phillies and Rangers.

                Sox fans might want to keep the plans for the parade down Michigan Avenue on hold for now. If the Sox can maintain success deeper in the season, then Sox would not be rash by making comparisons to the 2005 team.

                My advice to both teams’ fans would be to keep these great starts in CONTEXT; it is only APRIL not OCTOBER.

This advice can also be applied to Cardinal and Orioles fans.  

                With Alfonso Soriano making his second DL stint as a Cub, The team chose to fill his roster spot with Eric Patterson. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is the same Eric Patterson who was send down at the end of last season; the reason being that E. Patterson failed to arrive on time for a home game. The same Eric Patterson who only recently switched to playing the outfield; he is also the brother of former Cubs Corey Patterson.  If E. Patterson struggles, people will make a correlation to the fact that his brother also struggled with the Cubs.

                This move makes no sense to me at all. Why would the Cubs bring up a guy who is primarily a second basemen with KNOWN character issues?  Eric Patterson stats at AAA Iowa this season are: 222 avg, 3 runs, 8 hits, 12 strikeouts, 1 stolen base, and 3 RBI’s.  

                The logical choice for the Cubs to call up would be outfielder Matt Murton. Murton has played outfield his entire career, granted he is a defensive liability at times, but he makes up for it with his bat.  Without the addition of Reed Johnson, Murton would have made the Cubs out of Spring Training.  

Last season, Murton batted .281, drove in 22 runs, and scored 35 runs in only 94 games. This year, Murton’s numbers at Iowa are: .333, 5 runs, 13 hits, 4 strikeouts, and 2 RBI’s.  Murton has always been a high batting average and high On-base-percentage player. He would be an ideal fit for lineup, which other than Fukudome and Lee, does not take many pitches.

Murton seems like the logical choice to me, but then again when is anything logical with the Cubs?

                There is a saying in baseball: “great pitching always beats great hitting”.  Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, and Jason Marquis, get your act together FAST!  Ted Lilly and Marquis were brought in last season to eat up MAJOR league innings, which they did.  Rich Hill was a prized prospect in the Cubs farm system. Now they look like the THREE STOOGES!

This season Rich Hill numbers are 9.0 innings pitched, seven strikeouts, with an ERA of 5.00 in TWO STARTS! Rich Hill was a catalyst in the rotation last season going 11-9 with an ERA of 3.92. Another key stat with Hill was that he pitched 195 innings last season. Hill had control problems during spring training, this trend has continued thus far. If Hill was to replicate last season’s success; he better start going deeper into games SOON.

                Ted Lilly was the second best pitcher in the rotation last season, but in my view, he overachieved.  Ted Lilly’s number this season numbers are: 12.2 innings, eight strikeouts, and an ERA of 9.95. He has a record of 0-2 this season which is a huge contrast from last season. Lilly went:  13-8 with an ERA of 3.83. He pitched the second most innings on the team with 207.0 innings pitched. Lilly better find his rhythm and find it fast.

                Lastly Jason Marquis, Lou Piniella’s least favorite pitcher, started yesterday game. Marquis lasted only 5 innings, with an ERA of 6.75.  Marquis is a good first half pitcher, but an awful second half pitcher! I wanted Marquis gone to start the season and Lieber in the 5th spot. Piniella went with Marquis in the rotation; we shall see how long that lasts.

                The three Cubs stooges are not the only pitchers struggling. Pitchers like CC. Sabathia and Jason Verlander are also “getting off to slow starts” as the experts state. Most teams do not put too much stock into early season numbers, but make certain they are taking NOTICE.

Fantasy baseball anyone?

                When people join a fantasy baseball league, my recommendation is do your HOMEWORK! I am obsessed with sports, so I have a pretty good idea of who to draft and who not to draft.  This blog is in response to a BAD draft.

                The person will remain nameless. The person’s draft strategy was obvious to me: draft players HE KNOW’s. He has Derek Lee as his number one pick, which is a reach at number one. He drafted: Mauer (Solid), Cano (good), Erick Aybar (yikes), Kevin Kouzmanoff (okay), and Tori Hunter (Solid). He did an average job with his position players. He, however, missed out on better players by reaching for Lee (1st), Mauer, (5th) and Hunter (6th).

                He did a SO-SO job with his pitching staff. He took Zambrano (solid), Buehrle (average),R. Hill (BAD), Penny (solid), Capps(good), and Marmol (great)

His picks then took a turn for the WORSE. He was taking players he knew. SO He took Juan Pierre (no a longer a starter…SUCKS), Curt Schilling, (Out for the first half of the year), Jack Cust (Bench player), Matt Stairs (Bench player), Noah Lowry (HURT) and Jim Edmonds (injury-prone and getting worse every year).

                When drafting in fantasy baseball, people want players who can contribute to all categories. Draft players who play almost every day, and do not draft role players!

                He still managed to get some good players, but he could have done SO MUCH better. My advice to first time fantasy baseball players, please do your homework!

The Bears have down nothing this offseason to improve their team. I should rephrase that: The Bears only added Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd this offseason.  Those two additions will NOT put the Bears back in the playoff race.  

Now I find an article about Colt Brennan and his pro-day at Hawaii. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7987234/NFL-
draft-Q&A:-Colt-Brennan I have already written about my feelings and thoughts toward Colt Brennan.  Much to my dismay when I read this article, I find out that Bears have had extensive talks with Colt Brennan. I will add more facts to why the Bears SHOULD NOT draft Brennan.

If Brennan is to be successful in the NFL, he needs a team with an established quarterback. He needs to be able to learn from someone such as: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. By landing on a team with an established quarterback, he can grow and learn the system under an experienced teacher. The pressure would also be less, if Brennan landed with a team who already had a franchise quarterback. He would not be looked at as the savior or the future of that team.

With the Bears, Brennan would have to learn from Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. These two are by no-means established or very good for that matter. Grossman is similar to Brennan in that they both came from pass happy offenses in college. If that is any indication of what Bears fans can expect, we will see Rex Grossman’s little brother in Colt Brennan.

Brennan is similar to Orton in that both played in mainly shotgun oriented offense in college. Orton has a TOUGH time adjusting to getting the ball from under center. Grossman has a similar problem.   Grossman and Orton are not going to be with the Bears for the long term, which means that Brennan will have to be ready in a hurry.  From what I have read on football websites, some scouts believe Brennan may never be ready for the NFL.  Brennan will be viewed a potential savior to the Bears which is way too much pressure for a young quarterback, especially on a flaw team such as the Bears.

For the Bears sake and Colt Brennan sake as an NFL quarterback, they should avoid each other at all COSTS.

                Last season, many Cubs fans were horrified when Ryan Dempster came out of the bullpen.  In the first half of the season Ryan Dempster was lights out. He even was throwing the ball harder.  That was until Dempster hurt his oblique muscle and had to spend time on Disabled list.

                After his stint on DL, Dempster was a mess on the mound.  He had “Rod Beck” syndrome: load the bases and run count full before getting the final out.  Dempster did finish the season with 28 saves but had an era of 4.73. That is way too high an ERA for a closer.

                This season Cubs fans will not have to see Dempster coming out of the bullpen during a game.  Ryan Dempster is vying for a spot in the Cubs starting rotation.  Ryan Dempster has not been a starter since 2004 with the Cubs. The Cubs eventually had to make him the closer because there were no other options.  After last season, Dempster wanted another opportunity to start games for the Cubs.

                By the way Dempster’s spring is going; He will be in the 5th spot in the rotation when the season opens.  In three games this spring, Dempsters numbers are:  Two Wins, nine innings pitched, and ERA 3.00. If we look deeper at his numbers, he has allowed five hits, three earned runs, one homerun, walked four and struck out five.  The reports from Chicago based sports shows indicate that Dempster is poised for a big season in the 5th spot. One local radio personality has even predicted fifteen wins from Dempster.

                I am encouraged by the way Dempster is pitching this spring. I hope he does not take the same road as Wade Miller did last season. As we know Miller won the 5th spot out of the spring; Miller was ultimate shelled in the majors. Afterwards, Miller went on numerous rehab starts before being released.

                If Ryan Dempster turns into a solid fifth starter, Cubs fans will forget all about Dempster’s failures as a closer.

                The question was posed to me, if the Cubs could draft Billy Chapel would they?

Billy Chapel is the character played by Kevin Costner In for the Love of the Game. Chapel is one of the greatest pitchers of all time in the movie. He has almost every accomplishment in baseball expect for 300 wins and a perfect game. *Spoiler* in the end of the movie, Chapel throws a perfect game and then retires.  

Like any great sports movie hero, Chapel must overcome an injury sustained will working with some wood. He would damage a nerve in his hand, and not be able to feel his pitches after a certain time.  Now IF Chapel was real, of course the Cubs would draft him. He would have been the best Cubs pitcher of all time. He might not have thrown the perfect game, because in real life, it is the Cubs after all. Sadly, the Cubs cannot draft Billy Chapel because he is not real.

If I were running the Cubs and I could draft a fictional character from a movie. I would not draft Billy Chapel. I would draft Roy Hobbs from the Natural.  Hobbs was played by Robert Redford. In the movie, Hobbs could do it all: run, hit, and field with ease.  Hobbs would knock the cover off the ball, literally. *Spoiler* the movie ends, with Hobbs hitting a walk homerun into the light at Knights field to win the game. Hobbs like Chapel had an injury to deal with. Hobbs had been shot with silver bullet by a mad woman.

That is my selection on the matter. What are yours?

                With the recent losses of Bernard Berrian (free agent signing with the Vikings), and Muhsin Mohammed (released), The Bears were down two wide receivers.

 With Bears general manager, Jerry Angelo, touting Devin Hester as a possible number one receiver and Mark Bradley as solid number two receiver, the Bears were very inexperienced a wide receiver. The Bears were in desperate NEED of a VETERAN wide receiver.

The Bears brought back a familiar face in Marty Booker. Marty Booker has spent the last four seasons in the NFL version of hell, Miami.  Miami has had more quarterback problems than the Bears as of late. That is why Booker did not enjoy the same success in Miami as he did in Chicago.

Marty Booker was in Miami for the last four years because the Bears sent him there in a trade for Adewale Ogunleye.  Booker resented the fact that The Bears traded him away.  It appears the Bears and Booker have made amends.

When new President of Football operations in Miami, Bill Parcels, released Marty Booker; it made perfect sense for the Bears to re-sign Booker.  Bears had a need a receiver and Booker needed a team. Booker is brought in to fill the role of the veteran number two receiver. Booker enjoyed his best season with the Bears. In 2001, Booker caught 100 balls and in 2002 he made the PRO-BOWL as a Bear.

This signing is good sign for the Bears. He will bring experience to a VERY inexperienced receiving core. He will hopefully mentor Bradley and Hester. He play the role of the number two receiver better than Mohammed. Booker is a younger and faster version of Mohammed. 

On behalf of Bears fans, Let me Welcome BACK Marty Booker!

To quote the band WEEZER: “Say it ain’t SO!”

Brett Favre has been flirting with the idea of retiring for the last several years. Yesterday that flirtation ended for Favre.  Favre announced his retirement via phone call to Head Coach Mike McCarthy. This announcement comes as a shock to all football fans, but especially to Packer fans.

Favre retired after one of his best season’s in his career. This season Favre was not the gunslinger of old, but instead a game manager. His numbers reflected his game management; he threw for 4155 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.  Those numbers along with an overall team effort propelled the Packers to 13-3 regular season record and a trip to the NFC title game.

Being a Bears fan, I feel torn on the Favre retirement.   I am envious that Packer fans had stability in a position that Bears seemingly always find ineptitude.  I despised his ability to rally the Packers late against teams especially the Bears. I also respected his “greatness”.   Favre was such a rare talent in the NFL. He was the most unorthodox quarterback, people will ever see. He would seemingly makes plays, when people were certain he would fail.  

Packer fans always found comfort in knowing that they had number “4” behind center late in any game.  All of Wisconsin took solace in the fact, regardless of how any season ended; they always had a chance next season with Favre at the helm.  For sixteen years, Favre gave the Packer faithful hope.

I know now Packer fans will look at the negative in Favre retirement, but Packer fans should be looking at the positive they had sixteen years with the Great Brett Favre.

Good bye Brett Favre Wisconsin mourns your retirement, while all Illinois celebrates it; which in my mind is the ultimate sign of respect.